Chamber to Honor ‘Distinguished Businessperson’ at 25th Annual Dinner

The Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce this year’s recipient of the 2013 William A. Brown Distinguished Businessperson Award. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner, and the 32nd presentation of this award, as it was originally presented by the Salem Commerce Exchange. The William A. Brown Award, Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce’s most prestigious award, is presented to an individual who, by a single act or through a variety of activities, has enhanced the business environment of the Greater Salem community. This award is given in the memory of William A. Brown, who was the first to receive it. Carrying on with this great tradition, the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce and the Platinum Sponsor, Citizen’s Bank, are very pleased to present the most prestigious William A. Brown Businessperson of the Year Award to Scott D. Cote, President and CEO, Pentucket Bank.

With over 40 years of experience, Scott Cote’s extensive background in banking includes areas of administration, finance, investments, commercial and consumer lending, branch operations, marketing, strategic planning and community support. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business and Economics, Scott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. Scott started his career at the former Indian Head Bank in 1978 in Salem. He worked for Indian Head and its successor, Fleet Bank, for over 20 years, with over half of that time spent in the Salem market, working in the commercial lending field. Scott joined Pentucket Bank in Haverhill, MA, in 1998 as the Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer; eventually being promoted to President/Chief Operating Officer and Chief Credit Officer in 2008. Scott assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer in 2010. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Scott has been recognized by numerous groups for his passionate support of the communities served by Pentucket Bank through his involvement with charitable giving and volunteerism. Scott currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Merrimack Valley Hospital and is the incoming President of the Board of the Greater Haverhill Foundation. He is currently serving as a co-chair of the Merrimack Valley Hospice House’s expansion project, helping to raise funds through a capital campaign. Scott is also a member of the Board of the Northern Essex Community College Foundation and the George C. Wadleigh Foundation. Scott is well known in several area communities for his creativity and enthusiasm for supporting local nonprofit organizations, with a particular passion for youth organizations, low income housing initiatives, and programs benefitting the elderly.

The Chamber will also be honoring the following volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the Chamber over the past year: Sheryl Parsons, from Enterprise Bank, with the Chairman’s Award; Kelly Bryant, from Santo Insurance and Financial Services, with a Volunteer of the Year Award; and Susan Griebel, from GOAL/QPC, with a Volunteer of the Year Award. The presentations will take place on September 26th at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner Meeting. The festivities will be held at Castleton Banquet and Conference Center, Windham, New Hampshire and will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the presentation of awards immediately following. Tickets are $55.00 per person, with tables of 10 available. For additional information or to purchase a ticket, contact the Chamber Office at 893-3177.